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History

Panto-Ulema Inc. dba Dearborn Architects is a dynamic and proactive architectural practice. Since 1998, the firm has successfully completed projects in Chicago, the Midwest, and internationally. Our team passionately believes in distilling and achieving client goals; permitting a focused approach to aesthetic and technical solutions.

The firm is designed to be fast and nimble. Excelling at small and medium-scale projects, we offer flexibility in project delivery, scheduling, scope, and expertise. Our effort consistently realizes shortened timelines, enhanced coordination, and services tailored to deliverables appropriate for a successful project outcome. This approach is used throughout our diversified practice which includes market segments such as corporate, interiors, food-service/restaurants, retail, institutional/ childcare, hotels, and graphic visualization, among others.

Dearborn Architect deliver’s outstanding service and has a reputation of providing quality and value. The firm received two awards from City of Evanston; The 2014 Preservation and Design Award for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority at Northwestern University and the 2011 Preservation and Design Award for the Evans Scholarship House at Northwestern University. In 2004, the firm received an Honor Award for excellence in Urban Design from the American Institute of Architects for the Central Area Plan.

Dearborn Architects has an experienced staff with a broad range of capabilities including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing knowledge, as well as familiarity with complex buildings and structures. We excel at modifications to and redevelopment of existing buildings

Leadership

Homan Wong NCARBArchitect, Principal

Homan Wong is an exceptional Architect with more than 30 years of experience. He has successfully completed a broad range of projects in the categories of public work, master planning, institutional, hospitality, retail, and commercial.Mr. Wong is a licensed Architect in the States of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. He is also board certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Mr. Wong graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Additionally, he is a registered energy professional and a self-certification qualified architect with the City of Chicago.

For the past 18 years Mr. Wong has been the president of Dearborn Architects providing day to day management and overall design direction. Mr. Wong uses his diverse knowledge of architecture to solve complex design problems while creatively articulating his solutions in a clear, concise, and aesthetically sophisticated manner. His broad experience is used to bring structure and order to complex projects to ensure timeliness in project execution.

Recently, Mr. Wong has devoted firm resources in the area of Owner Representation and in particular, to serve Chinese corporations interested making in-bound investments in the U.S. Prior to founding the firm, Mr. Wong was a project designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM). Other previous positions were at Helmuth, Obata, & Kassabaum (HOK) and Chris Consulting Inc.

Steven Smutny NCARB, ALA, LEED APArchitect, Principal

Steven is an Architect with more than 10 years of experience. He holds an architectural license in the State of Illinois. He graduated with a Master of Architecture with honors and a Bachelor of Art in Architecture with honors and the Alpha Rho Chi Award for Leadership Service and Merit from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Steven is skillful and astute, balancing innovation with practicality. He tirelessly works to guide clients through the Architectural process and explain what options best reflect client goals. He understands economy in Architecture, suggesting products and assemblies that focus on building longevity within budget constraints.

His obsessive attention to detail and ability to consider the impact of project decisions on building systems at a micro and macro level make him an ideal project architect and multi-discipline coordinator. He has experience in building renovations, historic renovations, retail, restaurants, daycare, dental, warehousing, hospitality, corporate interiors, and other commercial projects.

Steven also serves on the Board of the Near South Planning Board, on the Executive Board of the Franklin Building, and as an officer in the Rotary Club of Chicago Near South.